I saw Sister Nilson in Milano:):)‏

Jill,

Hello! Hope your week was great!

I had the wonderful opportunity to get to see your daughter in Milan on Friday:)! I went for work and took my friend, Luzia. We were all able to meet up at the Duomo to catch up and she shared a spiritual message with us and my non-member friend. It was so magical, I miss her so much and it was so fun to see her.

It looks like she is doing SO well, happy and excited and just energized with the work and the new area and the people she is teaching. Looks like she has a great companion and she just was a shining light like always.

She also let me know it was a year ago on Friday, when we met that she arrived in Milan and met up at the Duomo as a newbie missionary so it was such a special day for her! We took some fun Book of Mormon pics in front of the Duomo I thought you would like.

Enjoy and hope you're well:)!

xo's

Heather

To Verona and back, and everything in between!‏

• 
  

9/19/12

Reply  ▼

Famiglia mia!!

 

I love you!! Can I just start off by saying that!!!! Families are so important... do you know that ;) ? Guys the work goes on here in Milano! I swear it sorta feels like we are barley keeping our heads out of the water because there is just sooo much to do and so many peoples schedules to juggle and then still somedays when everything falls through so we are out knocking doors and talking to people in parks!

 

This week was really great. We had stake conference and it was sooo cool! Saturday there was a special women conference and we got to go... cuz 4 of our investigators came! Guess who spoke: Sorella Nelson, Yep, Russell M. Nelsons Wife! It was incredible. She talked to the sisters about Becoming Holy Women. She encouraged us to remember who we are and that Heavenly Father loves us. She challenged each woman to pick one thing in their lives and try for 3 days to do it as a Holy woman would do! I still gotta pick my thing... there are just too many I got to improve! But I will let you know how it goes. But it was really neat to listen to her and the wives of some other authorities. Sunday we had Stake conference and it was equally as cool. Elder Kearon and Rasband were here so we got to listen to them and their wives. They split the stake and talked about how this division is really just a multiplication! The church is growing in ITALY... WOOT WOOT!

 

Monday night I got to go back to Verona!!! YES! it was the craziest thing ever. I felt like I had never left and we got to stop by pizza love to get dinner! They are the best. Made me free pizza and gave me their new t-shirt! I went back to renew my permesso.... the thing that lets me stay in italy... we did that early tuesday morning and then got to walk around until our train left back for Milan. A neat little miracle happened on the train when we were going to Verona. Before heading out I prayed we would have the chance to teach someone on the train. As we boarded the train we walked through about 5 cars until we found somewhere to sit, right accross from a woman sitting alone. Litterally the minute we sat down my companion started talking to her. She was going to Verona as well. We ended up talking to her for the ENTIRE 2 hours. She asked about everything and we covered both the restoration and the piano! It was crazy! In the end she wouldn't give us her number, but I happened to have an opuscolo and a passalong card with the verona info in it. She said she would read it and pray and thanked us for all we said because she agreed with it! It was such a neat experience!

 

We are still busy as always helping the wonderful women of Milano! We were able to set some baptismal dates this week too! I AM SOOO EXCITED!! I feel like the most blessed missionary alive! It is so neat to work with these women. So many of them just feel like they are nothing. It breaks my heart. Many feel like the mistakes they have made in the past make it so they are not worth anything. THATS WHERE THE GOSPEL COMES IN!!! The knowlege of who we REALLY are is sooo important. And that no matter what, thanks to the ATONEMENT we can repent! I am soooo grateful for a Savior who died that that we can change. It is real.... that is all there is to it!

 

Well I have to run, I feel like thats all I do these days! I hope you have a wonderful week and know how much I love and miss you all!

 

baci,

sorella Nilson

I feel soooo blessed!! The real thing.....▼

• 
  

On Wed, Sep 12, 2012 at 11:42 AM, Katie Nilson <katie.nilson@myldsmail.net> wrote:

FAMILY!

 

How are you all doing!?? I hope good. By what mom said in her email it seems like you are all busy like no other! Jake, surviving sr. Year??? Sabrines and ems, how is school and everything else you are doing? Email me! I got some mail yesterday!! Thank you grandma and mom for the post card and my roomies sent me a package! It was the darlingest thing... (*If you are reading this ames, debs, and pags... I LOVE YOU FOR IT!) We had a zone meeting yesterday so it was neat to be together and get some good training!

 

Guys... MIRACLES ARE LITTERALLY FALLING OUT OF THE SKY!!!!! I feel soooo blessed I can't even explain. I certainly feel like I don't even deserve these blessings but I am sooo thankful for them. This week has been sooo busy. I had forgotten how fast paced city life is. Let me just tell you about a couple things that happened this week...

 

Friday: Lesson with Linda... Remember that Lady we found whose whole family are members in Rome and stuff? Well we taught her and it was unreal. I don't know where she came from but she asks alll the right questions and in the End said she would happily read the book of mormon!! SOO Exciting!

 

Saturday: Went to teach a girl named Nicole. It was my first time but she has been taught for a long time. Her parents are members but she isn't. We walk into the lesson, sit down, chat a bit, and then... She says "Sorelle I have been praying a lot and I feel it is time I get baptized!" WHAT???? I about died on the spot! She is beautiful and 20 years old and leaving soon to go to New York to study... YEP! I got so excited and told her my cousins live there and she could contact them... Hope you don't mind em and chase ;) We are going to plan the baptism before she leaves....how COOL is that!!

 

SUNDAY!! I got to go to my ward!! We still aren't in our church yet so it was only about 1/2 the members but they held meetings in a city outside of milan. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!! Seriously the spirit was sooo strong the entire day. Don't worry that they asked me to play in sacrament... I fail at the piano. I think I need to start practicing again, but I am thankful to you my parents for making me take lessons so atleast I could help! It is amazing to see how strong these people are. They are few in number, but soooo strong in the faith! And actually the ward here is quite huge! Its the biggest ward I have been in in my mission! We are all really excited for the conference next week with the new stake!

 

Oh man... There are sooo many things I want to tell you all about! We are working with so many beautiful women... Olga, Denise, Alma, Nicole, linda, Jenny, Cristina... I just love them all soooo much! It is amazing to see how it truely is the Gospel that teaches us our worth because it teaches us who we REALLY ARE!!

 

I have been thinking about this a ton lately and honestly I think I am just begining to understand that we are CHILDREN OF GOD!! Do you all know what this means??? WE ARE DIVINE!! WE are soooo special. Heavenly Father loves each of us unconditionally and wants soooo bad for us to be happy and succeed. I think its really easy to compare ourselves or worry about what others think, but really, only what Heavenly Father and the Savior think is what matters. We are trying to help each of the women we teach remember this... and I am trying to remember it myself! We can't forget who we REALLY are! When we remember who we really are it changes everything.... we are obident because we want to be, we serve because we want to, we love because we see others how they really are too! Its not always easy to remember this... cuz satan works superhard to make us forget it... but its true!

 

Oh one last little tender mercy of Joy. Yesterday we were getting on the metro after our conference and who should I behold... Monica from VERONA!! She is member there and honestly my heart just filled with joy to see her! WHAT are the chances I would see her one her one day in Milan, on the Metro, that I usually never take! Serious, a little joyous miracle I was sooo thankful for!  

 

 

I love you all sooo much! Sorry to be sooo quick, I will write more next week (feels like I always say this ;) ) Have the best week! Sending copious amounts of love your way!

 

Con Amore,

Slla Kate

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!‏

• HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!‏

9/12/12

 ▼

HEATHER!!!

BUON COMPLEANNO!!!!!

 

I wish I could be in your presence to make your favorite meal for you today!!!! Heather you are the greatest thing in the world! Words can't even express how thankful I am for you and everything you did for me in Verona. I love you my darling and am forever greatful for your example of faith, strength, and LIVING the gospel! I miss you like crazy and hope you are having a great time in the US or  having a fabulous time in Verona if you are back!

 

Sorry this is so quick, but just wanted you to know I was thinking of you! Have the best day and eat some gelato to celebrate ;) (that is if you are in Italy of course ;) otherwise icecream will do! )

 

Con tanto amore,

 

Sorella Nilson  

I feel soooo blessed!!‏

• 
  

9/12/12

Reply  ▼

 Katie-Miss​ion

To Jill Nilson, Joe Nilson, Josie Nilson

FAMILY!

 

How are you all doing!?? I hope good. By what mom said in her email it seems like you are all busy like no other! Jake, surviving sr. Year??? Sabrines and ems, how is school and everything else you are doing? Email me! I got some mail yesterday!! Thank you grandma and mom for the post card and my roomies sent me a package! It was the darlingest thing... (*If you are reading this ames, debs, and pags... I LOVE YOU FOR IT!) We had a zone meeting yesterday so it was neat to be together and get some good training!

 

Guys... MIRACLES ARE LITTERALLY FALLING OUT OF THE SKY!!!!! I feel soooo blessed I can't even explain. I certainly feel like I don't even deserve these blessings but I am sooo thankful for them. This week has been sooo busy. I had forgotten how fast paced city life is. Let me just tell you about a couple things that happened this week...

 

Friday: Lesson with Linda... Remember that Lady we found whose whole family are members in Rome and stuff? Well we taught her and it was unreal. I don't know where she came from but she asks alll the right questions and in the End said she would happily read the book of mormon!! SOO Exciting!

 

Saturday: Went to teach a girl named Nicole. It was my first time but she has been taught for a long time. Her parents are members but she isn't. We walk into the lesson, sit down, chat a bit, and then... She says "Sorelle I have been praying a lot and I feel it is time I get baptized!" WHAT???? I about died on the spot! She is beautiful and 20 years old and leaving soon to go to New York to study... YEP! I got so excited and told her my cousins live there and she could contact them... Hope you don't mind em and chase ;) We are going to plan the baptism before she leaves....how COOL is that!!

 

SUNDAY!! I got to go to my ward!! We still aren't in our church yet so it was only about 1/2 the members but they held meetings in a city outside of milan. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!! Seriously the spirit was sooo strong the entire day. Don't worry that they asked me to play in sacrament... I fail at the piano. I think I need to start practicing again, but I am thankful to you my parents for making me take lessons so atleast I could help! It is amazing to see how strong these people are. They are few in number, but soooo strong in the faith! And actually the ward here is quite huge! Its the biggest ward I have been in in my mission! We are all really excited for the conference next week with the new stake!

 

Oh man... There are sooo many things I want to tell you all about! We are working with so many beautiful women... Olga, Denise, Alma, Nicole, linda, Jenny, Cristina... I just love them all soooo much! It is amazing to see how it truely is the Gospel that teaches us our worth because it teaches us who we REALLY ARE!!

 

I have been thinking about this a ton lately and honestly I think I am just begining to understand that we are CHILDREN OF GOD!! Do you all know what this means??? WE ARE DIVINE!! WE are soooo special. Heavenly Father loves each of us unconditionally and wants soooo bad for us to be happy and succeed. I think its really easy to compare ourselves or worry about what others think, but really, only what Heavenly Father and the Savior think is what matters. We are trying to help each of the women we teach remember this... and I am trying to remember it myself! We can't forget who we REALLY are! When we remember who we really are it changes everything.... we are obident because we want to be, we serve because we want to, we love because we see others how they really are too! Its not always easy to remember this... cuz satan works superhard to make us forget it... but its true!

 

I love you all sooo much! Sorry to be sooo quick, I will write more next week (feels like I always say this ;) ) Have the best week! Sending copious amounts of love your way!

 

Con Amore,

Slla Kate

 

Welcome back to MILANO!‏

Sept. 5, 2012 Here are some pictures!!! 

Back in Milano for the first time since my first day! 

At the Duomo with Slla Lloyd

Sisters Conference they gave us all fans

Yamilka's baptism

MY VERONA WARD ;) 

I finally got caught up with Katie's letters...I was a few behind!

Here you go....finally caught up!
I am glad to see I am back on the ball!
Hahaha!

I bid thee farewell my dear sweet Verona!‏

Famiglia Mia,

 

I AM GETTING TRANSFERED! Yep... It doesn't come as a huge surprise, but where I am going does! I am going to....

 

MILANO!

 

What the what?!? I never thought it for sure and I found out last night! And so thus tomorrow morning me and Slla Morley are off on the first train to Milano, where I will then stay! It's back to the big city for me! Back to buses, metro, and crowds... even bigger than Genova! I can't believe it. I am for sure really excited but oh man my heart is breaking to leave Verona. I've spent like 1/2 my mission here. I love the members, my little sorellina morley, the people, the city, my bike... alas! I don't think everything has quite sunk in yet because it is still so fresh, but I am quite positive tonight I will be a mess! My new comp is named Slla Lloyd from Lehi. I am really excited because we were actually in the MTC together and best of all... SHE LOVES MUSICALS!! She reminds me so much of you jose... We have done exchanges twice together and last time she sang "astonishing" for me when I told her I was going to miss your play. Thus it shall be broadway bliss in our apartment!  I will for sure miss Slla Morley too. We have had so much fun together, and above all learned so much together! I am just glad she lives in Highland and thus it isn't a real goodbye!

 

Sabrines, Ems and Jake... You guys started school!! Crazy! How is it??? Jake you are a SENIOR!! That is just crazy business! You are all growing up too fast!

 

This week seems like it was even more insane than the last week. We have been working like crazy with Yamilka still. Last week we had some incredible lessons with her and on Saturday night we called her and she said she wanted to be baptized! I about died! So we hurried and got everything ready so that she could be baptized tonight before I left. We announced it Sunday in church... but sunday night... Doubts started flowing. She said she couldn't do it. We with the Family Avesani tried smoothing things over and we did. But yesterday she said she just couldn't do it. She didn't feel ready. She said she will be baptized, but just not in this moment. I was really blessed with an enormous amount of peace. Yes, I was so sad. Mostly because I just see this battle going on in her head. I know the only way she will have the peace she wants is through the gospel of Jesus Christ and that is the HARDEST part. She knows this is right, but fear gets in the way. Man is that one of Satans most powerful tools... he gets us to fear and thus block out the ability to have faith! AH! However, I know that she is someone very special, with enormous potential. The day will come, just in the Lords time. Gosh it's hard to leave!!

 

 We have seen a lot of miracles this week in finding. We have litterally been trying to talk to so many people! The other night in the park we ride up on our bikes and stop the first person we see. Name: Martina Description: 2 dogs, Piercings everywere, and a "nice" outfit on. We started talking to her and she said she felt like she has hit rock bottom in her life. She said I think I am starting to believe in God again because there has got to be someone who can help me. She said a few days before out of desperation she said a prayer for the first time in years. Then we showed up. Don't you love how Heavenly Father works ;) We talked to her about our message and In the end we got her number and asked if we could meet her again. She said of course and "Can I bring my Mom?" BLISS! Of course we replied!

 

Another Miracle like that happened just yesterday when we went to the park. Stopped another girl walking her dog (I think they are lucky) She told us right off she was atheist (code for I just don't really want to talk to you). We asked why and got talking. Well I asked her what she thought happens after death. She replied, "Thats something I ask myself a lot. I mean... I don't think it all ends here..." Allora! That means she does have some faith ;) Well we told her it doesn't end here and that Heavenly Father has a plan for her.... and she said she wants to know more about it! MIRACLE!

 

Yay for all these miracles that are happening just as I leave! But So it goes on the mission! I am soooo grateful for the time I have had here in Verona. We have incredible members and honestly these people have become like family to me. They have been there non stop to help us, take care of us, and feed us ;) I love them so much!

 

I can't wait for the adventure that lies ahead for me in Milano! We shall see whats in store! But I know that its where I am supposed to go. I Love being a missionary. I know the church is true. It really is the best. Its the only way we can be 110% happy even in the hard times. I love you all soooo much! 

 

Ciao for now...

 

Slla Nilson  

 

 P.S. I feel like I am sooo behind the times, but I can't believe Hans and Hills are HOME!! Hills thanks for the email and post card. Berit's on a mish yahoo! Roomies... I want to hear from you. Seth, Pete, Alex? We're all missionaries! Can I get alex's address or email? Will he be in the spain mtc for part of it? Thanks my friends for your letters... I promise one day I will respond when I have atleast 3 minutes to write! ;) Love you all!

A slice of Humble Pie‏

My bellissima Famiglia! I miss you!! 

Guys, the summer is finishing!! I cannot believe it! Today is a festa here in Italy and thus everything is... quite. The entire city went to the beach I am pretty positive! ;) 

Guys this week has been... quite unreal. I have never been so humbled in my entire life. Wednesday night we had a terrible lesson with Yamilka. She found out that we participate in Politics and went off saying she couldn't believe we are involved in something so corrupt. We tried to explain that the church doesn't control our choices and that we participate to try and make a difference, and that we are told to live in the world but not be of it. She wouldn't hear it. She just kept going and going, until I... with a very strong voice just told her to STOP! We then bore our testimonies and explained that although we didn't know everything we knew this was TRUE. That this was the Church of Jesus Christ restored on the earth. That the Book of Mormon is true. We had an appointment for friday but find out she went to austria and thus was not baptized this week. With all of this it sorta felt like the world was falling down. I can say this... I have never been so humbled in my entire life. 

I think that one of the biggest lessons you learn on the mission is Humility. Wednesday night all I could do was hit my kneels and talk to Heavenly Father. I can say this. I still don't understand exactly why everything fell through, but I do know this- Heavenly Father listens to our prayers, he cares about us and wants us to be happy. The Atonement is REAL. I am sooo grateful for the chance we have to repent, the chance we have to get help and strength above our own. I just can't imagine my life without the atonement, because you just cannot make it without it. I think that I really needed to learn that ONLY by relying 100% on Heavenly Father can you do missionary work, and make it in life. 

Today while reading the Book of Mormon I read 1 Nephi 17:3-

3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and ^astrengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did ^bprovide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

Think about our lives... Heavenly Father nourishes us and strengthens us so we can do what he has asked us to do. He always Provides for us. In his time, but everything he has promised us MUST BE FULFILLED. I loved that it was perfect! 

Friday we had interviews. It was great! I love having the chance to learn so much as missionaries. My President and his wife are incredible. It was neat getting to talk to him, and Sorella Wolfgramm is just amazing. She talked to us about putting Christ in the Center of our lives. Making him our focus and that when we do that everything falls into place! 

So we started applying that and we have really seen miracles! Seriously, one minute we are like AHHH! Everything is falling apart and then the next, Miracles. Sunday for example, I am just in the chapel saying hi to people and in walks one of our Less Actives. We have been writing her letters and Dropping them off in her mailbox almost everyday for the past 6 months. And there she was in the Church. I ABOUT DIED!!! My heart was bursting... seriously! She is the most incredible woman, but just NEVER comes... and she came!!! 

Then the past 2 days we have had the chance to meet some really wonderful people. Monday we stopped a woman who told us, "I feel like I have made so many mistakes, I just have lost my faith." We immediately talked to her about the hope of the Gospel, and she said "Maybe this is what I need to get me past this wall I feel like is in front of me!" MIRACLES 

Transfers are next week. Its going to be hard!!! President alluded to the fact that I am probably leaving since I have been here for 5 transfers. But man... Verona is my home now!! I know for sure my heart is just going to break because I love these people soo sooo much! We will see what happens! 

I miss you all so much! I want you to know that even when things get tough, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! I am soooo grateful for EVERYTHING Heavenly Father has blessed me with... most importantly YOU GUYS!!! YOU are incredible! LOVE YOU times 50 gazillion! 

Kate